Thursday, June 5, 1997

Corrections interim Director Thomas M. Maddock today notified U.S. Department of Education Secretary Richard W. Riley that convicted felons in California state prisons will not be provided special education Services.

"It is astonishing the federal government wants California to spend millions of tax dollars for special education services to murderers, rapists, and child molesters. The money should go to serve lawabiding children," said Maddock. "We are going to ask Congress to exempt states from this requirement."

The letter to Secretary Riley requests cancellation of a compliance hearing June 26 and 27 pending efforts to have Congress exempt states from any obligation to provide, special education services to convicted adult Felons in state correctional facilities.